Of Human Bondage

Over the course of Of Human Bondage, Philip Carey learns to fully reject the Anglican Christianity that he grew up with and instead come to believe that there is no such thing as God or an afterlife. Although the novel frequently depicts Philip as an unmoored character who isn’t sure what to do with his life, his rejection of religion begins at an early age and is one of his few constants as he comes of age and gains experience. Philip initially comes to doubt Christianity when he witnesses the hypocrisy of religious men like his Uncle William and Josiah Graves, who seem to use the church more to advance their own status than out of sincere belief. Being away for school helps Philip solidify his lack of belief, and he deepens his feelings while living in Paris when he begins to read philosophical and scientific texts, including On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.

Philip can be a flawed and naïve character, and at times it seems like his scorn for religion has less to do with philosophy and more to do with lingering resentment for his vicar uncle and the religious boarding school he made Philip attend. Other times, Philip’s scorn for religion reads as misdirected anger at the universe over the death of his mother, Helen, and his club foot. Still, the hypocrisy Philip observes in religious characters ultimately vindicates his distaste for religion. Things get more complicated, however, when Philip sees William’s serenity as he lies on his deathbed. Philip’s discovery of his late mother’s religiousness further complicates his anti-religious stance, as well. Ultimately, Philip never returns to Christianity, but he does put aside his dislike of religion to instead focus on how his skeptical views allow him to form his own moral values in life, which is a daunting but ultimately fulfilling prospect. This is inspired not just by witnessing the comfort that religion gives William, but also by the positive role that religion plays in the life of Betty Athelny, whose skeptical husband Thorpe nevertheless approves of his wife’s religion, saying that a thing doesn’t have to be true to be beautiful. As it follows Philip’s changing relationship to religion, Of Human Bondage explores the role that religion plays in human life, exposing the flaws of Christianity and highlighting how the hypocrisy of religious people can negatively impact society. At the same time, the novel shows how religion nevertheless enriches people’s lives, giving them a sense of direction, purpose, and comfort.